FORMER South African batsman Jacques Rudolph has signed a three-year deal to play for Yorkshire under the Kolpak ruling.

The 25-year-old left-hander who played 35 Tests for South Africa, including an unbeaten highest score of 222 made during his Test debut in 2003 (against Bangladesh), has since dropped out of the squad.

But remarking on his new contract with Yorkshire, Rudolph said: "Cricket is agame where you have to learn and improve all the time, and I believe playing for Yorkshire will give me new and valuable experience."

"They have some great players at Headingley, plus some very knowledgeable supporters.

"I can't wait to get started."

"Obviously we're delighted to have signed a quality player such as Jacques for the next three years," said Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan

"He is a proven performer at the very highest level and we are sure his undoubted ability will add strength to our 2007 campaign."

Rudolph is the latest in Yorkshire's recruitment of non-English players, which also includes countrymen Deon Kruis and wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy (also South African-born), plus Australians Jason Gillespie and Matthew Elliott, along with Pakistan's Younis Khan - although, of course, they cannot all play at once!

Rudolph will join up with his new Yorkshire teammates for pre-season training at the end of March.